January 31, 2013

March 1 release date!

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Well! I found out last week that the release time of spring 2013 for Willow Finds A Way, is specifically March 1. This is very exiting because somehow spring seemed distant, but now it is very soon! Lo and behold, it is already available for pre-order on Amazon! So I thought I would share some of my process with you.Above is the page 4 you will find in the book. It is the first page of the story, and the kids are in the classroom doing various things. Kristabelle is up to her usual ways of being a bit bossy and full of herself. Willow is off on page 5 doing a painting at an easel.

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My first rough sketch had Kristabelle in full on dictator mode! Willow was standing to the side looking worried. Jane is looking annoyed. It was all a bit too dramatic!

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Next we had Kristabelle as more of a smooth operator, charming her classmates with promises and fun games. Everyone is paying attention and wants to be included. This is closer to the final page. Again Willow is off on page 5 doing something, but also paying close attention to what Kristabelle is up to.

In the end, it was decided that Kristabelle should not be manhandling anyone, but merely beckoning them with a prop. Here , in the linework stage, it is a magnifying glass from the science table. It later became a plant frond of some kind. She is reaching to hold hands with Tianna, who is a cheerful participant in any of Kristabelle's plans. We finally went ahead and I coloured it as above. This all transpired after the entire book was finished, as pages 4 and 5 were the last to be written!

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Here is the full spread as you will see in the book! I have to say, decisions were all made by my amazing editor and then designer, who are sharp as tacks and do not miss anything. It was a pleasure and honour to work with them! I tend to be slightly overwhelmed when it involves 32 pages of roughs, linework, final drawings, and without them, there would be no book at all. No wait, without the lovely Lana Button, who wrote it, there would be no book at all! What a team effort! Hooray!